Opening Ceremony
The 31st Puma Australian Junior Darts Championships were opened at 10.00am. After the playing of the National Anthem Darts TasmaniaPresident and MC Rodney Bessell welcomed everyone and introduced the dignitaries in attendance. Local Member for Bass Mr Martin Ferguson representing Mr Jeremy Rockliff Liberal Member for Braddon and Darts Tasmania Patron, Greg Clegg Darts Australia, and Darts Tasmania Secretary Annette Riley.

The Parade of Flags followed:

The flag bearers were:
Australian Flag
Nathan Seabourne and Jade Whitworth Australian Youth World Cup Representatives (above)

• Dart Federation of Australia Flag
  Robbie Walker (right)

• Aboriginal Flag
  Andy Warren (SA) and Jordan Clarke (WA)
  

• New South Wales
  Fayth Munro & Richard Rangi

• Northern Territory
  Kody Dodds-Watson & Brayden Salmon

• Queensland
  Rebecca Franks & Peter Schurmann

• South Australia
  Teagan Gade & Phillip Stuart

• Tasmania
  Haylee Smith & Liam Philpott
  
  
• Victoria
  Daveisha Ikitautama & Matthew Francois

• Western Australia
  Rebecca Penny & Alex Jones

Darts Tasmania President Rodney Bessell welcomed all players’ officials and supporters to Launceston in Tasmania. He thanked the parents and supporters that had come here to support the players and also those who were helping with the running of the Championships. He thanked the Tasmanian Captains Charmaine Bessell and Robbie Walker along with Annette Rilley and the Darts Tasmania Committee for their efforts in preparing for the Championships. He especially congratulated all players that have been selected to represent their state, wished them luck and hoped they all had a great time and plenty of fun while at the Championships and in Launceston.

Introduced next was Greg Clegg, Darts Australia Vice President. He also welcomed everyone to the 31st Puma Australian Junior Darts Championships. He asked players to respect the Officials here as they put a lot of time and effort to help them through the Championships. He thanked the parent’s, friends and supporters who helped in many ways to get the players to these championships. Mr Clegg was full of encouragement for the players and wished them all the very best of luck.

Martin Ferguson (left) then welcomed everyone to Launceston and was impressed by the nature of those in attendance. He highlighted the honour bestowed upon the flag bearers from each state, how they were representing all the players back in their home state at their clubs, their associations and their schools. He also impressed on them and hoped they recognised the honour for themselves that had been placed on them and that they are proud to carry their state flag. He also encouraged everyone to take advantage of what Launceston and the local area has to offer in regards to nature and entertainment. He said, “If you have not been to The Launceston Gorge you have not been to Launceston”. He wished everyone luck and hoped a few lifelong relationships could be started this week at these Championships.

At all Australian Darts Championships it is the tradition of the guest to officially open the Championships by throwing the first dart. Martin Ferguson was handed the darts to throw at the board on the main stage. Mr Bessell showed him where to stand. Mr Ferguson was not very confident at this stage of hitting the dart board. After a little encouragement from the crowd he let the dart fly lodging in the double six. The relief was evident that he had hit the board.

Photos of the Teams were then taken and then Championship play began.

The first event is the Australian Youth Fours, with all state teams playing a round robin against all other states. The Boy’s played five rounds and the Girl’s four with the following results.

Girls
Round One
WA 9 – NSW 1, QLD 9 – Vic 4, TAS 9 – SA 8
Round Two
QLD 9 – NSW 2, VIC ( - TAS 4, WA 9 – SA 5
Round Three
QLD 9 – SA 3, WA 9 – TAS 2, NSW 9 – VIC 5
Round Four
QLD 9 – WA 6, VIC 9 – SA 4, TAS 9 – NSW 8
Queensland is the only team with one round to play that has not lost a round.

Boys
Round One
SA 9 – NSW 7, QLD 9 – WA 8, VIC 9 - NT 8, TAS Bye
Round Two
WA 9 – SA 5, TAS 9 – VIC 7, NT 9 – NSW 8, QLD Bye
Round Three
TAS 9 – NSW 3, WA 9 – VIC 4, QLD 9 – NT 6, SA Bye
Round Four
SA 9 – NT 4, VIC 9 – NSW 3, QLD 9 – TAS 4, WA Bye
Round Five
QLD 9 – SA 5, WA 9 – NSW 4, TAS 9 – NT 4, VIC Bye
Queensland is the only team with two rounds to play that are undefeated

Friday the last few rounds of the Australian Youth Fours will be contested followed by the Australian Youth Girl’s and Boy’s Doubles